“Despite what often winds up in the headlines, many things we deal with in Colorado are simply not partisan,” Schwartz said in a news release. “Communities need clean and plentiful water, safe roads and bridges, and quality schools — no matter which political party we belong to.

“I am incredibly proud to have received this particular award, since it truly reflects my commitment to finding practical solutions for the people of Senate District 5 and Western Colorado, along with Rep. Don Coram.”

For the third time in less than a month, Colorado’s Capitol is mourning one of its own, this time former Sen. Dave Wattenberg, a member of the Cowboy Caucus who was known for his pranks and his ability to work across the aisle.

State Sen. Dave Wattenberg displays the rope used during the confirmation hearing of the new agricultural commissioner in January 1999. (The Denver Post)

Wattenberg, who had been in failing health, died Monday with his wife, Mary Sharon Wells, at his side. He was 73.

For weeks now, friends — from politicians to ranchers — have stopped by to say their good-byes to the ailing lawmaker known for his sense of humor.

He once showed up at the state insectary in Mesa County with a can of Raid Yard Guard. He successfully passed himself off as an elderly woman named Mildred, who was upset with another state senator.

“I think one of the things I remember most isn’t one of the really funny stories — although there were so many — but the image of Dave and his friends and neighbors at the funeral of his first wife at the school in Walden” in 1986, lobbyist Dianna Orf said.

“The gym was filled with these farmers and ranchers with weathered, windburned faces, stoic and filled with silent grief. It said so much about Dave, the land up in North Park, and the people who persevere.”

U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave thanks supporters after her win in the 2006 election. (AP Photo/John Epperson)

Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave once told a staffer she could probably support civil unions because it wasn’t marriage, according to a Facebook posting.

The post was written by state Rep. B.J. Nikkel, of Loveland, who served as Musgrave’s district director in the 4th Congressional District. Nikkel became a hero in the gay community this session for voting with Democrats to send a civil-unions bill out of its first committee hearing. Some conservatives consider her a traitor.

Nikkel, in taking on a Musgrave family member on Facebook, said in her post that her civil-unions vote doesn’t make her a liberal any more than Musgrave’s support of the bailout and other issues makes Musgrave a liberal.

Former agricultural directors John Stulp and Don Ament enjoy the Colorado State Fair's annual legislative barbeque.

The Colorado State Fair is all about ag, which is why two past state agricultural directors and the current one all attended the fair’s annual legislative barbeque Friday night in Pueblo.

John Stulp worked under former Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter. Don Ament worked under former GOP Gov. Bill Owens. And the current director, John Salazar, works for Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper. Salazar was at the BBQ but couldn’t be found in the packed room when it was picture time.

Things you might not know about Salazar: He’s lactose intolerant but had to drink a glass of milk last year when toasting the Western Dairy Association on its 100th birthday.

Things you might not know about Stulp: Stulp was best man when U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner’s parents got married. John Gardner and Cindy Pagel were married in Yuma on June 30, 1968. Stulp’s a Democrat, so was the young couple. The congressman is a Republican.

Things you might not know about Ament: He was mercilessly teased by the administration after an eastern plains newspaper mistakenly identified him as “Donna Mint.” Gov. Owens presented Ament with a doctored Ben & Jerry’s ice cream container. The flavor? “Donna Mint,” complete with “chocolate-covered BS bits and ethanol swirls.”

“Made with 100 percent Colorado shrimp,” the container said, a reference to the time the ag czar traveled with the governor and ordered shrimp instead of a Colorado meat, such as beef or lamb. Owens never let Ament forget it.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.